A machine for the renewal of sleepers of a track having rails and for the cleaning of exposed ballast after removal of old sleepers, includes a machine frame which is movable on a rail bogie on the track, a screening plant and a clearing device having a collection device for collecting ballast. A sleeper transport device includes a sleeper gripper, rotatable about a vertical axis, between two end-positioned rail bogies, connected to the machine frame, and being displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the machine. The sleeper transport device is displaceable from a front end position (with respect to a working direction) provided for picking up new sleepers by the collection device for collecting ballast, to a rear end position configured to deposit the new sleepers.

For correction of a track position in connection with ballast cleaning, after cleaned ballast has been returned to a track, the actual position of the latter is measured while determining actual position data. Parallel to that, fixed point correction values are determined by a sighting trolley following behind. The actual position data and the fixed point correction values are transmitted to the tamping machine, following behind, and are used for determining correction values for a desired track position to be created by tamping.

For correction of a track position in connection with ballast cleaning, after cleaned ballast has been returned to a track, the actual position of the latter is measured while determining actual position data. Parallel to that, fixed point correction values are determined by a sighting trolley following behind. The actual position data and the fixed point correction values are transmitted to the tamping machine, following behind, and are used for determining correction values for a desired track position to be created by tamping.

A system and method for use in raising the height of railroad structures. Railroad structures are defined as the structures where two or more railway tracks merge, cross, or divide. The method utilizes excavating an opening beneath a railway track at or adjacent to a railroad structure. A hydraulic jack is positioned within the opening. This is repeated until sufficient hydraulic jacks have been positioned around the structure. The hydraulic jacks are then actuated to raise the railroad structure to a desired height. Generally this height provides a slight crown to the structure. Ballast is then positioned beneath the raised railway. The hydraulic jacks can be disconnected from the hydraulic lines and left in position, or removed. Preferably the hydraulic jacks are positioned on hydraulic jack sleds for improved ease in transporting the hydraulic jacks and to provide a platform on which the hydraulic jack is slid into and out of the opening beneath the railway. An apparatus is provided for use in raising a railroad structure. The apparatus utilizes a hydraulic pump and motor positioned on a frame. Hydraulic fluid is selectively provided through a manifold to the hydraulic jacks, or to one or more remote manifold(s) either directly or through the manifold. Hydraulic jack sleds are provided that are preferably configured for storage and transport on the frame.

The invention relates to a machine with a ballast receiving device for receiving ballast located under a track by means of an endless excavating chain guided in a chain channel, with the chain channel being composed of a transverse channel which can be positioned under the track, an empty channel, and a transport channel provided for ballast transport. A conveyor device for transporting ballast in the direction of the transport channel is arranged along a top edge of the transverse channel. This additional device increases the movement of the ballast so that it completely enters the transport channel.

A system and method are provided for subvehicularly accessed treatment of ground surfaces about a rail track occupied by a rail vehicle. A mobile treatment unit having a propulsion mechanism for subvehicular passage between the rails occupied by the rail vehicle includes a dispensing portion for expelling a treatment material therefrom onto regions of the ground surface about the rails. The mobile treatment unit is maneuverable between the rails and maintains height clearance for unobstructed passage beneath the occupying rail vehicle. At least one sensor unit is coupled to the mobile treatment unit, which acquires environmental feedback data about the mobile treatment unit. A control unit is operably linked to the mobile treatment and sensor units, and receives the environmental feedback data. The control unit controls actuation of the mobile treatment unit responsive to the environmental feedback and/or a maneuver control command.

A cleaning vehicle (1) for cleaning ballast (2) of a track (4) with a rail vehicle (10) has a screening installation (15) provided for the ballast cleaning. A gantry crane (6) mobile on the rail vehicle (10) via crane rails (8) in a longitudinal direction (7) of the vehicle is provided for the transport of the ballast (2) stored in containers (11). Forming a discharge station (12) for discharging the soiled ballast (2), a receiving end (13) of a first conveyor belt (14) is provided, the latter having a discharge end (16) positioned above the screening installation (15). Forming a loading station (17) for discharging the cleaned ballast (2) into an empty container (11), a discharge end (18) of a second conveyor belt (19) is provided, the receiving end (20) of which is associated with an outlet opening (21) of the screening installation (15).

A cleaning vehicle (1) for cleaning ballast (2) of a track (4) with a rail vehicle (10) has a screening installation (15) provided for the ballast cleaning. A gantry crane (6) mobile on the rail vehicle (10) via crane rails (8) in a longitudinal direction (7) of the vehicle is provided for the transport of the ballast (2) stored in containers (11). Forming a discharge station (12) for discharging the soiled ballast (2), a receiving end (13) of a first conveyor belt (14) is provided, the latter having a discharge end (16) positioned above the screening installation (15). Forming a loading station (17) for discharging the cleaned ballast (2) into an empty container (11), a discharge end (18) of a second conveyor belt (19) is provided, the receiving end (20) of which is associated with an outlet opening (21) of the screening installation (15).

A railway track clearing vehicle and associated systems and methods for removing unwanted material from a railway track wherein the vehicle includes: a propulsion mechanism and an autonomous control system for controlled propulsion of the vehicle along the track; an airflow system, configured to provide and direct an airflow through a conduit towards the railway track; and a sensor system configured to provide information relating to unwanted material on an extent of a railway track. The sensor information is applied to provide and direct an airflow to the extent of the railway track to remove sensed unwanted material and to control the propulsion mechanism for travel on the extent of the railway track at a suitable speed according to continual feedback of the sensor information indicating a state of the unwanted material.

A system and method are provided for subvehicularly accessed treatment of ground surfaces about a rail track occupied by a rail vehicle. A mobile treatment unit having a propulsion mechanism for subvehicular passage between the rails occupied by the rail vehicle includes a dispensing portion for expelling a treatment material therefrom onto regions of the ground surface about the rails. The mobile treatment unit is maneuverable between the rails and maintains height clearance for unobstructed passage beneath the occupying rail vehicle. At least one sensor unit is coupled to the mobile treatment unit, which acquires environmental feedback data about the mobile treatment unit. A control unit is operably linked to the mobile treatment and sensor units, and receives the environmental feedback data. The control unit controls actuation of the mobile treatment unit responsive to the environmental feedback and/or a maneuver control command.